Suction device for internal combustion engine

ABSTRACT

The object of this invention is that a suction device for an internal combustion engine is to be compact. The suction device comprising a casing having an air inlet and a plurality of outlets, a filter in the casing for filtering air from said air inlet, a collection chamber in the casing for receiving air from the filter, at least one throttle valve in the casing for controlling the flow of air from said filter to said collection chamber, and a plurality of suction pipes. According to the present invention, the suction device can be made compact to thereby effectively use an engine room of an automobile.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a suction device for supplyingair and fuel to combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine,and more particularly to a suction device which can be constructedcompactly.

[0002] In connection with a V-type internal combustion engine in which aplurality of cylinders are arranged in a V-shape, there is described aconventional suction device in U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,933 and 5,094,194,for example. In this conventional suction device, a plurality ofindividual suction pipes and a collector for distributing suction air tothe individual suction pipes are integrated compactly, but an aircleaner, a suction air quantity detecting means, a throttle valve, andfuel injection valves are not integrated with the suction device. Theselatter elements are individually mounted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a suctiondevice which can be constructed compactly so as to integrate all partsfrom the air cleaner to the suction ports and eliminate any spaces otherthan an air passage for supplying suction air to an internal combustionengine, thereby making it possible to increase the space for mountingother parts and the internal combustion engine in an engine compartmentof the automobile or to reduce the size of the engine compartment tomore effectively use the space provided for the engine.

[0004] A casing of a suction device has such a shape as to be fittedwithin a space defined between right and left banks of a V-type internalcombustion engine. The inside of the casing is partitioned into severalspaces for mounting an air cleaner, an air collector, and a plurality ofindividual suction pipes in such a manner that these elements arearranged adjacent to each other.

[0005] The air cleaner, the air collector, and the individual suctionpipes are arranged adjacent to each other, being separated by apartition, thereby forming an air passage in each element. Accordingly,all parts constituting the suction device can be integrated, and anyunnecessary spaces, other than the air passage, can be eliminated tothereby realize a suction device having a compact structure.

[0006] In summary, the present invention provides a compact suctiondevice including all parts from the air cleaner to the suction ports.

[0007] The suction device has the following functions. Air admitted froman inlet 5 of an air cleaner 3 is introduced through a passage 6 and anair cleaner element 33 to a suction air quantity detecting means 7. Athrottle valve 8 is located downstream of the suction air quantitydetecting means 7. The air passing through the throttle valve 8 isintroduced through an air collector 10 to individual suction pipes 11corresponding to the cylinders of the engine. Thereafter, the air issucked through suction ports 4, forming outlets of the suction device,into combustion chambers 12 of the engine. The passage 6, the individualsuction pipes 11, and the air collector 10 are arranged adjacent to eachother through a partition or directly.

[0008] Further, a control unit 13 for controlling the engine is locatedin the passage 6 downstream of the inlet 5 of the air cleaner 3.

[0009] According to the present invention, the suction device, includingthe elements from the air cleaner to the suction ports, can be madecompact, to thereby effectively use the space in the engine compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a sectional front view of a suction device according toa first preferred embodiment of the present invention, as mounted on aV-type internal combustion engine.

[0011]FIG. 2(a) is a schematic sectional front view taken along line A-Ain FIG. 2b, which is a schematic sectional side view of the suctiondevice.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional side view of a suction deviceaccording to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional side view of a suction deviceaccording to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a flow of air in the suction deviceaccording to the first preferred embodiment.

[0015]FIG. 6 is an air flow diagram relating to a flow of air in thesuction device according to the first preferred embodiment.

[0016]FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a flow of air in the suction deviceaccording to the first preferred embodiment.

[0017]FIG. 8 is a schematic side view illustrating a positional relationbetween the suction device and the internal combustion engine.

[0018]FIG. 9 is a schematic side view illustrating a control unit in thesuction device.

[0019]FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional side view of a suction deviceaccording to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air passage shownin FIG. 10.

[0021]FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional side view of a suction deviceaccording to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional side view of a suction deviceaccording to a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 14 is a cross section taken along the line C-C in FIG. 13.

[0024]FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional side view of a suction deviceaccording to a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 16 is a cross section taken along the line C-C in FIG. 15.

[0026]FIG. 17 is a schematic side view illustrating a swirl passageprovided in a suction device according to an eighth preferred embodimentof the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view illustrating swirl control valvesprovided in the suction device according to the eighth preferredembodiment.

[0028]FIG. 19 is a schematic front view illustrating the swirl controlvalves shown in FIG. 18.

[0029]FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of an essential part shown in FIG. 19.

[0030]FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of a modification of each swirlcontrol valve in the eighth preferred embodiment.

[0031]FIG. 22 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a preferredembodiment of the swirl passage shown in FIG. 17.

[0032]FIG. 23 is a schematic perspective view illustrating anotherpreferred embodiment of the swirl passage shown in FIG. 17.

[0033]FIG. 24 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the flows ofair and fuel in forming a swirl.

[0034]FIG. 25 is a schematic sectional front view of a suction deviceaccording to a ninth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0035]FIG. 26 is a schematic sectional side view of the suction deviceshown in FIG. 25.

[0036]FIG. 27 is a cross section taken along the line C-C in FIG. 26.

[0037]FIG. 28 is a view similar to FIG. 27, showing a tenth preferredembodiment of the present invention.

[0038]FIG. 29 is a top plan view illustrating a layout in an enginecompartment of an automobile.

[0039]FIG. 30 is a cross section taken along the line X-X in FIG. 29.

[0040]FIG. 31 is a schematic sectional side view of a suction deviceaccording to an eleventh preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0041]FIG. 32 is a schematic sectional front view of a suction deviceaccording to a twelfth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0042]FIG. 33 is a sectional side view of a suction device according toa thirteenth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0043]FIG. 34 is a cross section taken along the line B-B in FIG. 33.

[0044]FIG. 35 is a cross section taken along the line A-A in FIG. 33.

[0045]FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram illustrating a resonance suctionlength in the suction device shown in FIG. 33 when a variable inductionvalve is closed.

[0046]FIG. 37 is a diagram similar to FIG. 36, when the variableinduction valve is opened.

[0047]FIG. 38 is a sectional side view of a suction device according toa fourteenth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0048]FIG. 39 is a cross section taken along the line B-B in FIG. 38.

[0049]FIG. 40 is a cross section taken along the line A-A in FIG. 38.

[0050]FIG. 41 is a horizontal sectional view of a preferred embodimentof the an air flow meter shown in FIG. 38.

[0051]FIG. 42 is a left side view of the air flow meter shown in FIG.41.

[0052]FIG. 43 is a view similar to FIG. 41, showing another preferredembodiment of the air flow meter.

[0053]FIG. 44 is a schematic diagram illustrating a resonance suctionlength in the suction device shown in FIG. 38 when a variable inductionvalve is closed.

[0054]FIG. 45 is a diagram similar to FIG. 44, when the variableinduction valve is opened.

[0055]FIG. 46 is a sectional side view of a suction device according toa fifteenth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0056]FIG. 47 is a cross section taken along the line C-C in FIG. 46.

[0057]FIG. 48 is a cross section taken along the line A-A in FIG. 46.

[0058]FIG. 49 is a cross section taken along the line B-B in FIG. 46.

[0059]FIG. 50 is a sectional side view of a suction device according toa sixteenth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0060]FIG. 51 is a cross section taken along the line B-B in FIG. 50.

[0061]FIG. 52 is a cross section taken along the line A-A in FIG. 50.

[0062]FIG. 53 is a sectional side view of a fuel gallery provided in asuction device according to a seventeenth preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0063]FIG. 54 is a sectional side view of the suction device includingthe fuel gallery shown in FIG. 53.

[0064]FIG. 55 is a sectional side view of a suction device according toan eighteenth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0065]FIG. 56 is a cross section taken along the line A-A in FIG. 55.

[0066]FIG. 57 is a top plan view illustrating a layout in an enginecompartment of an automobile when an engine is longitudinally mounted.

[0067]FIG. 58 is a view similar to FIG. 57, when the engine istransversely mounted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0068] A first preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIG. 1, which is a sectional front view of right and left cylindertrains 1 and 2 of an internal combustion engine 20 and a suction device21. The internal combustion engine 20 is a V-type internal combustionengine wherein the right and left cylinder trains 1 and 2 are soarranged as to form a V-shape, as viewed in front elevation. While thenumber of cylinders in the V-type internal combustion engine 20 is sixin this preferred embodiment, it may be eight or twelve as known in theart. The suction device 21 has a casing including an inlet 5 to an aircleaner 3 and suction ports 4 forming a plurality of outlets to theengine cylinders, the suction device 21 being located in a space definedbetween the right and left cylinder trains 1 and 2.

[0069] Thus, the suction device 21 is designed to have a compactstructure. FIG. 2(a) is a sectional front view of the suction device 21with the right cylinder train 1 not shown, and FIG. 2(b) is a sectionalside view of the suction device 21. As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), airadmitted from an inlet 5 of the air cleaner 3 is introduced through apassage 6 and an air cleaner element 33 to a suction air quantitydetecting means 7. The suction air quantity detecting means 7 is an airflow meter of any type, such as a hot-wire type, movable vane type, orKarman vortex type. A throttle valve 8 is provided downstream of thesuction air quantity detecting means 7. The throttle valve 8 iselectrically driven by a motor 9 in this preferred embodiment; however,it may be mechanically driven by a wire. The air passing through thethrottle valve 8 is introduced through a collector 10 into a pluralityof individual suction pipes 11 respectively communicating with aplurality of cylinders of the engine 20.

[0070] More particularly, the air is sucked through the suction ports 4,forming the outlets of the suction device 21, into combustion chambers12 of the engine 20. In order to make the structure compact, the passage6 of the air cleaner 3, the individual suction pipes 11, and thecollector 10 are arranged in this order from the upper side of thesuction device in adjacent relationship to each other through partitionsor directly. The order of arrangement of these sections is not criticalto the invention, but the passage 6 of the air cleaner 3, the collector10, and the individual suction pipes 11 may be arranged in this orderfrom the upper side of the suction device. A control unit 13 is locatedin the passage 6 of the air cleaner 3 at a downstream portion thereof inconsideration of compactibility and coolability. With this arrangement,the control unit 13 can be cooled by the air flowing in the passage 6.To ensure the compactibility, the control unit 13 is located in thepassage 6 just over the top of the individual suction pipes 11 or thecollector 10. A plurality of fuel injection valves 91 for injecting fuelare respectively located in the suction ports 4 of the individualsuction pipes 11, and a plurality of air passages (swirl passages) 14for forming a swirl of air in the combustion chambers 12 arerespectively located in the suction ports 4.

[0071] Further, a plurality of swirl control valves 15 for controllingthe quantity of suction air flowing through the suction ports 4 and thequantity of suction air flowing through the air passages 14 arerespectively located in the individual suction pipes 11. In thispreferred embodiment, all or at least one of the individual suctionpipes 11, the swirl control valves 15, and the fuel injection valves 91are provided on the collector 10 serving as a negative pressure chamberdownstream of the throttle valve 8. While the suction air quantitydetecting means 7 is located upstream of the throttle valve 8 in thispreferred embodiment, the detecting means 7 may be located downstream ofthe throttle valve 8. The throttle valve 8 is mounted on a member (aportion below the line A-A in FIG. 2(b)) forming the suction ports 4respectively communicating with suction ports 17 formed in the engine20.

[0072] A second preferred embodiment of the present invention is shownin FIG. 3. In this preferred embodiment, the individual suction pipes 11and the suction ports 4 communicating with the suction ports 17 of theengine 20 are formed in a single member (a portion below the line A-A inFIG. 3), and the throttle valve 8 is mounted to this member.

[0073] A third preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIG. 4. In this preferred embodiment, the collector 10 is formed justabove the individual suction pipes 11. The air passing through thethrottle valve 8 is first raised to the collector 10 and then flows downinto the individual suction pipes 11. With this arrangement, theindividual suction pipes 11 are located nearer to the engine 20, so thatthe suction device 21 can be easily mounted on the engine 20 with asimple structure.

[0074]FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 illustrate the flow of suction air in the firstpreferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2(b). The air passage from the inlet6 of the air cleaner 3 to the collector 10 is formed so that the airflows along a certain plane A, as shown in FIG. 6. On the other hand,the air passage from the collector 10 to the suction ports 4 is formedso that the air flows along a certain plane B perpendicular to the planeA, as also shown in FIG. 6. Thus, the flow of suction air changes inthree-dimensional direction at the collector 10 only, thereby reducingthe suction resistance.

[0075]FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a positional relation between theinternal combustion engine 20 and the suction device 21 as viewed inside elevation. Reference numerals 22 and 23 denote a front end and arear end of the engine 20, respectively. The air inlet 5 of the suctiondevice 21 is located just above the front end 22 of the engine 20.Accordingly, when the engine 20 is longitudinally mounted on anautomobile in such a manner that the front end 22 of the engine 20 isdirected to the front of the automobile, cool air can be readilyintroduced into the air inlet 5 of the suction device 21. Further, apulley 24 and a fan belt 25 are provided at the front end 22 of theengine 20, so that there is no space for arranging the suction airquantity detecting means 7, the throttle valve 8, and a vertical passage26 (see FIG. 7) at the front end portion of the suction device 21.Accordingly, these elements are arranged at the rear end portion of thesuction device 21 just above the rear end 23 of the engine 20. In thesuction device 21, these elements are arranged behind the individualsuction pipes 11.

[0076]FIG. 9 schematically illustrates the arrangement of the controlunit 13. As mentioned above, the control unit 13 is located downstreamof the air cleaner element 33 in the air passage 6 of the air cleaner 3in order that the control unit 13 can be cooled by cool air justintroduced from the air inlet 5. Further, in consideration of thecompactibility of the collector 10 and the individual suction pipes 11and the maintainability of the control unit 13, the control unit 13 islocated above a portion 29 where the collector 10 and the individualsuction pipes 11 are arranged. Since the control unit 13 must beadjusted upon delivery or inspection after being manufactured, thecontrol unit 13 is located at such a position that a 11 d (not shown)provided on the suction ports 4 can be removed at a portion upstream ofa throttle valve mounting portion 30.

[0077] A fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention is shownin FIG. 10. In this preferred embodiment, the air cleaner element 33 islocated in a front portion of the air passage 6 of the air cleaner 3,and the suction air quantity detecting means 7 is located in a rearpassage portion 27 downstream of the air cleaner element 33. With thisarrangement, no bent passage portion is present upstream of the suctionair quantity detecting means 7, but a long straight passage portion canbe ensured upstream of the detecting means 7, thereby reducing detectionerror of the detecting means 7. Further, the throttle valve 8 is locatedin the vertical passage 26 for the purpose of prevention of fixation ofthe valve 8 due to stain and for the purpose of improvement inmaintainability.

[0078]FIG. 11 schematically illustrates the arrangement of the airpassage in the fourth preferred embodiment of FIG. 10. The air cleaner3, the suction air quantity detecting means 7, the throttle valve 8, andthe collector 10 leading to the individual suction pipes 11 having thefuel injection valves 91 are arranged adjacent to each other. That is,as shown in FIG. 11, mounting members A, B, C, and D for respectivelymounting the above elements 3, 7, 8, and 10 are connected together in anintegral or direct fashion. With this arrangement, it is possible toreduce detection error of the detecting means 7 due to suction airpulsation caused by blow-back from the combustion chambers upon fullopening of the throttle valve 8. That is, since the air passage from theair cleaner 3 to the collector 10 can be shortened, the volume of theair column in which vibration occurs can be reduced, to thereby reducethe pulsation.

[0079] A fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIG. 12. In this preferred embodiment, a circuit 32 of the suction airquantity detecting means 7 is located inside the control unit 13,thereby saving space.

[0080] A sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 14 is a cross section taken along the line C-C inFIG. 13. Referring to FIG. 14, reference numerals 11 a, 11 b, and 11 cdenote individual suction pipes extending along a left bank of aninternal combustion engine, and reference numerals 11 d, 11 e, and 11 fdenote individual suction pipes extending along a right bank of theinternal combustion engine. The individual suction pipes 11 a, 11 b, and11 c are arranged in a direction A, and the individual suction pipes 11d, 11 e, and 11 f are also arranged in the direction A. The throttlevalve 8 lies on a line of symmetry between the arrangement of theindividual suction pipes 11 a to 11 c and the arrangement of theindividual suction pipes 11 d to 11 f. Further, a throttle shaft of thethrottle valve 8 extends in a direction B perpendicular to the directionA. This arrangement of the throttle valve 8 is important because thethrottle valve 8 is located adjacent to the collector 10. With thisarrangement, the throttle valve 8 is rotated to equally open to the leftarrangement of the individual suction pipes 11 a to 11 c and the rightarrangement of the individual suction pipes 11 d to 11 f, therebyeffecting uniform distribution of air to the left and rightarrangements.

[0081] A seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention is shownin FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 16 is a cross section taken along the line C-Cin FIG. 15. In this preferred embodiment, the throttle valve 8 ismounted in a vertical passage 34. Similar to the sixth preferredembodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the throttle shaft of the throttlevalve 8 extends in a direction B perpendicular to a direction A ofarrangement of individual suction pipes 11 a to 11 c or arrangement ofindividual suction pipes 11 d to 11 f. Accordingly, uniform distributionof air to both arrangements can be effected.

[0082] An eighth preferred embodiment of the present invention is shownin FIGS. 17 to 24. FIG. 17 schematically shows a mechanism for forming aswirl of air in a combustion chamber 50 of an internal combustionengine. A suction port 46, as a downstream end portion of an individualsuction pipe 47, is arranged adjacent to a collector 45 downstream of athrottle valve (not shown) through a partition 51 in consideration ofspace saving. A suction passage (swirl passage) 49 is formed so as toconnect the collector 45 through the partition 51 to the suction port46. Further, a swirl control valve 48 is located in the individualsuction pipe 47 between the collector 45 and an outlet 52 of the suctionpassage 49. When the swirl control valve 48 is closed, suction air isallowed to flow through the suction passage 49, whereas when the swirlcontrol valve 48 is opened, the suction air is allowed to flow primarilythrough the individual suction pipe 47. With this arrangement, thesuction passage 49 can be easily formed because the collector 45 and theindividual suction pipe 47 are adjacent to each other through thepartition 51.

[0083] FIGS. 18 to 21 show a modified arrangement of plural swirlcontrol valves 48 applied to a V-type internal combustion engine. Asshown in FIGS. 18 to 20, a plurality of individual suction pipes 53 and54 of the V-type internal combustion engine are alternately arranged soas to intersect with each other at an intermediate portion in a spacebetween right and left banks of the engine. The swirl control valves 48are located in the individual suction pipes 53 and 54 at thisintermediate portion, and are supported on a common shaft 55. If two ormore support shafts for the swirl control valves 48 were provided, anincreased space would become necessary, causing an increase in cost. Asshown in FIG. 21, each swirl control valve 48 may be formed as a swirlcontrol valve 100 partially cut away, as shown by a dashed line.Further, in the case where each suction port has two main passages, eachswirl control valve may be formed as a swirl control valve partially cutaway so as to close one of the two main passages.

[0084]FIG. 22 shows a preferred embodiment of the suction passage 49. InFIG. 22, reference numerals 56 a and 56 b denote two suction valvesprovided in each cylinder of an internal combustion engine, andreference numeral 57 denotes a surface of the connection between theindividual suction pipes 47 and the engine head. Two suction passages(swirl passages) 49 a and 49 b, through which the collector 45communicates with the suction port 46, are formed on an outer wallsurface of each individual suction pipe 47. That is, the walls of thesuction passages 49 a and 49 b are partially formed by parts 59 a and 59b of the walls of the individual suction pipe 47. The suction passages49 a and 49 b have respective outlets 52 a and 52 b opening toward thesuction valves 56 a and 56 b, respectively.

[0085]FIG. 23 shows another preferred embodiment of the suction passage49. In this preferred embodiment, the outlets 52 a and 52 b of thesuction passages 49 a and 49 b, formed adjacent to each individualsuction pipe 47, are open to the connection surface 57 independently ofan outlet of the suction port 46. The outlets 52 a and 52 b arerespectively connected to inlets 61 a and 61 b of two suction passages(swirl passages) 63 a and 63 b formed in the engine head. Outlets 62 aand 62 b of the suction passages 63 a and 63 b open near the suctionvalves 56 a and 56 b, respectively. With this arrangement, a strongswirl can be easily formed in the combustion chamber.

[0086]FIG. 24 shows the flows of air and fuel. Reference numerals 64 aand 64 b denote the flows of air blown from the suction passages 49 aand 49 b, respectively, and reference numeral 65 denotes the sprays offuel injected from the fuel injection valve 91. The outlets 52 a and 52b of the suction passages 49 a and 49 b are directed so that the airflows 64 a and 64 b do not directly blow against the fuel sprays 65. Ifthe air flows 64 a and 64 b having a high velocity blow directly againstthe fuel sprays 65, the fuel sprays 65 will change their directions soas to strike against a wall surface of the suction passage in the enginehead, so that the fuel sprays 65 will not properly enter the cylinder ofthe internal combustion engine. To avoid this problem, the nozzles ofthe fuel injection valve 91 are arranged so that the fuel sprays 65 maybe directed to central portions of the suction valves 56 a and 56 b, andthe outlets 52 a and 52 b of the suction passages 49 a and 49 b arearranged in direction so that the air flows 64 a and 64 b may bedirected to outside end portions of the suction valves 56 a and 56 b.Also, in the case of a single suction valve per cylinder, the fuel sprayfrom the fuel injection valve may be directed to a central portion ofthe suction valve, and the air flow from the suction passage 49 directedto an outer peripheral portion of the suction valve.

[0087] A ninth preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIGS. 25 to 27. FIG. 27 is a cross section taken along the line C-C inFIG. 26. In this preferred embodiment, a partition 70 is formed in thecollector 10 at a transversely central position thereof to define leftand right collectors 74 a and 74 b. Accordingly, the air passing throughthe throttle valve 8 is divided by the partition 0.70 to flow into theleft and right collectors 74 a and 74 b. Further, a variable inductionvalve 73 is mounted on the partition 70 so as to effect communicationbetween the left and right collectors 74 a and 74 b. The variableinduction valve 73 is operated according to an operational condition ofthe engine, thereby changing the effective suction length of anindividual suction pipe 71 or 72. That is, when the variable inductionvalve 73 is closed in a low-speed condition of the engine, the effectivesuction length can be made large, whereas when the variable inductionvalve 73 is opened in a high-speed condition of the engine, theeffective suction length can be made small.

[0088] A tenth preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIG. 28, which is a view similar to FIG. 27. In this preferredembodiment, a partition 75 separating the collector 10 into the left andright collectors 74 a and 74 b is extended rearwardly between twothrottle valves 77 a and 77 b to a downstream position of a suction airquantity detecting means (not shown), which is located upstream of thethrottle valves 77 a and 77 b. Thus, an extended partition 76 is formedbetween the throttle valves 77 a and 77 b and the suction air quantitydetecting means. That is, an air passage where the suction air quantitydetecting means is located is formed as a single passage, but an airpassage from a downstream area of the detecting means through thethrottle valves 77 a and 77 b to the collectors 74 a and 74 b is formedas dual separate passages. The variable induction valve 73 mounted onthe partition 75 in this preferred embodiment is operated similarly tothe ninth preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 27.

[0089]FIGS. 29 and 30 schematically illustrate a layout in an enginecompartment 80 of an automobile in which a suction device 81 accordingto the present invention is mounted. FIG. 30 is a cross section takenalong the line X-X in FIG. 29. The suction device 81 is located in aspace defined between left and right banks of a V-type internalcombustion engine 82. Reference numerals 83 a and 83 b denote spaceswhere an air cleaner, a throttle valve, etc. were conventionallylocated. In accordance with the present invention, since these elementsare incorporated in the suction device 81, any other parts located inthe spaces 83 a and 83 b can be easily maintained or inspected.

[0090] An eleventh preferred embodiment of the present invention isshown in FIG. 31. In this preferred embodiment, an EGR (exhaust gasrecirculation) passage 90 is provided in the suction device 21 so thatoutlets 93 of the EGR passage 90 respectively open into the individualsuction pipes at positions downstream of the fuel injection valves 91.If an EGR device is provided in a collector 90 as in the prior art, thefuel injection valves located downstream of the EGR collector arestained by an EGR gas. To avoid this problem, the outlets 93 of the EGRpassage 90 in this preferred embodiment are located downstream of thefuel injection valves 91 to thereby prevent the staining of the valves91 by the EGR gas.

[0091] A twelfth preferred embodiment of the present invention is shownin FIG. 32. In this preferred embodiment, an EGR passage 95 is connectedto a swirl passage 94 for forming a swirl of air in the combustionchamber of the internal combustion engine. With this arrangement,suction air from the swirl passage 94 and EGR gas from the EGR passage95 can be uniformly mixed in the combustion chamber.

[0092] A thirteenth preferred embodiment of the present invention isshown in FIGS. 33 to 37. FIG. 34 is a cross section taken along the lineB-B in FIG. 33, and FIG. 35 is a cross section taken along the line A-Ain FIG. 33. A partition 105 for equally dividing an air passage in asuction device 100 into right and left areas is provided in a collector101, a throttle portion 102 in which the throttle valve 8 is located, avertical passage 103, and an upper horizontal passage 104. Further, avariable induction valve 106 is mounted on the partition 105 so as toeffect communication between the right and left portions of thecollector 101. In the upper horizontal passage 104, the partition 105extends from the rear end of the passage 104 to an area downstream of anair flow meter 107. The air flow meter 107 is located in a single airPassage, and an air cleaner element 108 is located upstream of the airflow meter 107 in this single air passage. The purpose of provision ofthe partition 105 is to obtain a supercharging effect. That is, when thevariable induction valve 106 is closed, a supercharging effect can beobtained in a low-speed condition of an internal combustion engine;whereas, when the variable induction valve 106 is opened, the effectivepoint of the supercharging effect is shifted to a high-speed region ofoperation of the engine.

[0093] This effect will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.36 and 37. In these drawings, reference numeral 110 denotes a cylinderof the internal combustion engine, and reference numeral 109 denotes anindividual suction pipe of the suction device 100. FIG. 36 shows aclosed condition of the variable induction valve 106. In this closedcondition, the resonance suction length participating in thesupercharging is the sum of the length of the individual suction pipe109, the length of collector 101, the throttle portion 102, the lengthof the vertical passage 103, and the length of the upper horizontalpassage 104, which distance is a considerably large length. Accordingly,the resonance frequency is low, and a resonance effect occurs in alow-speed condition of the engine. On the other hand, when the variableinduction valve 106 is opened as shown in FIG. 37, the resonance suctionlength becomes the length of the individual suction pipe 109 plus thedistance from it to the variable induction valve 106. Thus, theresonance suction length is shortened, and the resonance effecttherefore occurs in a high-speed condition of the engine. In thismanner, the resonance suction length can be changed by opening andclosing the variable induction valve 106 to thereby obtain a resonancesupercharging effect in a wide operational range of the engine.

[0094] A fourteenth preferred embodiment of the present invention isshown in FIGS. 38 to 45. FIG. 39 is a cross section taken along the lineB-B in FIG. 38, and FIG. 40 is a cross section taken along the line A-Ain FIG. 38. This preferred embodiment is similar to the thirteenthpreferred embodiment with the exception that the partition 105 isextended to a position upstream of the air flow meter 107 and downstreamof the air cleaner element 108 in the upper horizontal passage 104.Accordingly, the air flow meter 107 is provided so as to pass throughthe partition 105 and extend across the upper horizontal passage 104.When the variable induction valve 106 is closed, the suction length canbe made larger than that in the thirteenth preferred embodiment shown inFIG. 33. A control unit 111 is located in the upper horizontal passage104, so as to be cooled by air flow.

[0095] In this preferred embodiment, the air flow meter 107 is sodesigned as to measure the quantities of air flows in two air passages121 and 122 separated by the partition 105. FIGS. 41 and 42 show apreferred embodiment of the air flow meter 107. FIG. 42 is a crosssection taken along the line A-A in FIG. 41. As shown in FIGS. 41 and42, lead wires 118 are embedded in a probe 112, and two hot wires 113and 114 are connected to the lead wires 118. The two hot wires 113 and114 are located in two air passages 116 and 117 respectivelycommunicating with the two air passages 121 and 122 separated by thepartition 105. Accordingly, the velocities of air flows in the two airpassages 121 and 122 can be measured by the hot wires 113 and 114,respectively. Then, an average of the velocities thus measured iscalculated to thereby detect the quantity of suction air sucked into theinternal combustion engine. Reference numeral 115 denotes a resistor forcompensating for suction air temperature. The resistor 115 is located inthe air passage 117 in this preferred embodiment; however, it may belocated in the air passage 116. FIG. 43 is another preferred embodimentof the air flow meter 107. In this preferred embodiment, the air flowmeter 107 has a common air inlet 120 equally exposed to the two airpassages 121 and 122 separated by the partition 105, and has two airoutlets 123 and 124 respectively communicating with the two air passages121 and 122. Further, a single hot wire 119 is located in a common airpassage formed just downstream of the air inlet 120. With thisarrangement, an average velocity of air flows in the two air passages121 and 122 can be measured by the hot wire 119.

[0096]FIGS. 44 and 45 schematically illustrate a resonance superchargingeffect in the fourteenth preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 38. FIG. 44shows a closed condition of the variable induction valve 106. In thisclosed condition, the resonance suction length is a total distance fromthe individual suction pipe 109 to the upstream side of the air flowmeter 107. Accordingly, the resonance suction length in this preferredembodiment can be made larger than that in the thirteenth preferredembodiment shown in FIG. 36, so that an engine speed at which theresonance supercharging effect occurs can be shifted to a lower point ascompared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 36. On the other hand, whenthe variable induction valve 106 is opened, as shown in FIG. 45, theresonance suction length is shortened as shown by a wavy line similar tothe embodiment shown in FIG. 37. Thus, an engine speed range where theresonance supercharging effect occurs can be more greatly widened ascompared with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 36 and 37.

[0097] A fifteenth preferred embodiment of the present invention isshown in FIGS. 46 to 49. FIG. 47 is a cross section taken along the lineC-C in FIG. 46; FIG. 48 is a cross section taken along the line A-A inFIG. 46; and FIG. 49 is a cross section taken along the line B-B in FIG.46. In this preferred embodiment, a part of the partition 105 isutilized as a substrate for a control unit 125. With this arrangement,it is unnecessary to define a special space for locating the controlunit 125. The flow of suction air will be described with reference toFIGS. 47 to 49. The suction air passes through the air cleaner element108 and is then divided by the partition 105 in the upper horizontalpassage 104 as shown in FIG. 47. Then, the suction air flows down in thevertical passage 103 and passes through the throttle portion 102 asshown in FIG. 48. Then, the suction air enters the collector 101 and isled from inlets 126 of individual suction pipes to suction ports 127 ofan internal combustion engine, as shown in FIG. 49.

[0098] A sixteenth preferred embodiment of the present invention isshown in FIGS. 50 to 52. FIG. 51 is a cross section taken along the lineB-B in FIG. 50, and FIG. 52 is a cross section taken along the line A-Ain FIG. 50. In this preferred embodiment, a part of the verticalpartition 105 is utilized as a substrate for the control unit 125similar to the fifteenth preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 46. Further,various wiring patterns connected between the control unit 125 andvarious elements, such as the air flow meter 107 and the throttle valves8, are formed on the vertical partition. 105 and a horizontal partition140. More specifically, a wiring pattern 137 connected to a power switch130 for an igniter is printed on the horizontal partition 140 and thevertical partition 105. Similarly, there are printed on the horizontalpartition 140 and/or the vertical partition 105 a wiring pattern 138connected to the air flow meter 107, a wiring pattern 136 connected toan actuator 131 for driving the variable induction valve 106, a wiringpattern 139 connected to a motor 132 for driving the throttle valves 8,and a wiring pattern 135 connected to the fuel injection valves 91. Withthis arrangement, no wire harnesses are required, thereby providingvarious effects, such as weight reduction, cost reduction, and spacesaving. The flow of suction air in this preferred embodiment is similarto that in the fifteenth preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 47 to 49.

[0099] A seventeenth preferred embodiment of the present invention isshown in FIGS. 53 and 54. In this preferred embodiment, a wiringarrangement 142 is built in a fuel gallery 141 connected to the fuelinjection valves 91. The wiring 142 is electrically connected to eachfuel injection valve 91 to transmit a signal for controlling a valveopening timing and a valve opening period of each fuel injection valve91. A power element 143 for driving the fuel injection valves 91 and afuel pressure regulator 144 are mounted on the fuel gallery 141. Whilethe power element 143 is heated, it is cooled by fuel flowing in a fuelpassage 145 formed in the fuel gallery 141. The wiring 142 is connectedto a terminal 146, which is in turn connected to a wiring pattern 147leading to the control unit 125, as shown in FIG. 54. With thisarrangement, the construction of wiring to the fuel injection valves 91can be simplified.

[0100] An eighteenth preferred embodiment of the present invention isshown in FIGS. 55 and 56. FIG. 56 is a cross section taken along theline A-A in FIG. 55. In this preferred embodiment, an EGR (exhaust gasrecirculation) device effective for purification of an exhaust gas isprovided. The exhaust gas from an exhaust pipe (not shown) is introducedfrom a passage 152 through a solenoid valve 151 to a passage 148. Asshown in FIG. 56, the passage 148 is formed in the vertical partition105, and communicates through branch pipes 150 respectively toindividual suction pipes 149. Accordingly, the exhaust gas is suppliedfrom the passage 148 through the branch pipes 150 and the individualsuction pipes 149 to cylinders of an internal combustion engine. Thequantity of the exhaust gas to be supplied to the passage 148 iscontrolled by the solenoid valve 151.

[0101]FIGS. 57 and 58 illustrate different layouts of a suction device160 according to the present invention in an engine compartment 165 ofan automobile 166. The layout shown in FIG. 57 represents the case wherea V-type internal combustion engine is longitudinally mounted. In thiscase, since the suction device 160 is mounted between left and rightbanks 163 and 164 of the V-type internal combustion engine, the sidespaces between the engine and tires 167 are free and available, so thatother parts can be easily mounted in these spaces and maintenance onsuch parts can be easily carried out. On the other hand, the layoutshown in FIG. 58 represents the case where the V-type internalcombustion engine is transversely mounted. In this case, since thesuction device 160 is mounted between the left and right banks 163 and164 of the engine, a partition 169 between the engine compartment 165and the passenger compartment 168 can be shifted frontward in theautomobile 166. That is, the space of the engine compartment 165 can bereduced to thereby enlarge the space available in the passengercompartment 168. In this manner, various advantages can be obtainedowing to the compact design of the suction device 160.

[0102] According to the present invention, the suction device includingparts extending from the air cleaner to the suction ports, is compact,so that the space available in the engine compartment can be effectivelyused in such a manner that an additional mounting space for other partscan be provided, maintenance can be easily carried out, and thepassenger space can be enlarged.

We claim:
 1. A suction device for an internal combustion engine,comprising: a casing having an air inlet and a plurality of outlets; afilter in the casing for filtering air from said air inlet; a collectionchamber in the casing for receiving air from the filter; at least onethrottle valve in the casing for controlling the flow of air from saidfilter to said collection chamber; and a plurality of suction pipes,each of said suction pipes extending within the casing from thecollection chamber to a corresponding one of the plurality of outlets.2. A suction device according to claim 1, having a filter unitcontaining said filter, said filter unit having an inlet and an outletand being elongate from said inlet to said outlet, an air distributionunit is formed by said plurality of suction pipes and said collectionchamber; and distribution unit and the filter unit are ountedsaid-by-side perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the filterunit and are joined at a common wall.
 3. A suction device according toclaim 1, having a detector for detecting the rate of air flow betweensaid filter ans said collection chamber.
 4. A suction device according tclaim 3, wherein said detector is a hot-wire air flow meter.
 5. Asuction device according to claim 1, having a connection path in saidcasing between said filter and said collection chamber, said connectionpath containing said throttle valve.
 6. A suction device according toclaim 5, wherein said plurality of suction pipes are arrangedside-by-side in a predetermined direction and said connection pathextends perpendicularly to said predetermined direction.
 7. A suctiondevice according to claim 1, having a control device for controllingsaid engine, said control device being in said casing between saidfilter and said collection chamber.
 8. A suction device according toclaim 1, having a plurality of fuel injection valves and wiringassosiated with said fuel injection values, wherein said wirning islocated in said collection chamber.
 9. A suction device according toclaim 1, having an exhaust recirculation passage communicating with saidplurality of suction pipes.
 10. A suction device according to claim 1,having a plurality of swirl control valves in said plurality of suctionpipes, and a common shaft for driving said swirl control valves.
 11. Asuction device according to claim 1, further including a plurality ofswirl ducts in the casing, the swirl ducts extending from saidcollection chamber to said plurality of outlets.
 12. A suction deciceaccording to claim 11, also having a plurality of swirl control valvesin said plurality of suction pipes for controlling the relative flows ofair from said collection chamber of said plurality of outlets throughthe plurality of suction pipes and the plurality of swirl ducts.
 13. Asuction device according to claim 11, wherein two of said plurality ofswirl sucts are associated with each of said suction pipes, each of saidoutlets is circular, and each said suction pipi is separated from theassociated two swirl ducts of said outlets by walls being chords of saidcircle.
 14. A suction device according to claim 1, wherein a walldivides said collection chamber into first and second regions, some ofsaid suction pipes extending from said first region and others of saidsuction pipes extending from said second region; and there is a controlvalve in said wall for controlling air pressure between said first andsecond regions.
 15. A suction device according to claim 14, wherein saidat least one throttle valve comprises first and second throttle valves,said first throttle valve communicating with said first region and saidsecond throttle valve communicating with said second region.
 16. Asuction device for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a airdistribution unit having an inlet and a plurality of outlets, said airdistribution unit having a collection chamber for air and a plurality ofsuction pipes each of said suction pipes extending from the collectionchamber to a corresponding one of the outlets; A filter unit forfiltering air having an inlet and an outlet and being elongate from saidinlet to said outlet; and a connection path connecting the outlet of thefilter unit to the inlet of the air distribution unit; wherein the airdistribution unit and the filter unit are mounte side-by-sideperpendicular to the direction of elongation of the filter unit and arejoined at a common wall.
 17. A suction device for an internal combustionengine, comprising: a casing having an air inlet and a plurality ofoutlets; a collection chamber in the casing for receiving air from theair inlet; a plurality of suction pipes in the casing, each of saidsuction pipes extending within the casing from the collection chamber toa corresponding one of the plurality of outlets; a plurality of swirlducts in the casing, the swirl ducts extending from said collectionchamber to said plurality of outlets; and a plurality of suction pipesfor controlling the relative folws of air from said collection chamberto said plurality of outltes through the plurality of suction pipes andthe plurality of swirl ducts.
 18. A suction device according to claim17, having a common shaft for driving said swirl control valves.
 19. Asuction device for an internal conbution engine, comprising: a casinghaving an air inlet and a plurality of outlets; a collection chamber inthe casing for receiving air from the air inlet; a plurality of suctionpipes in the casing, each of said suction pipes extending within thecasing from the collection chamber to a corresponding one of theplurality of outlets; a plurality of swirl ducts in the casing, theswirl ducts extending from said collection chamber to said plurality ofoutltes; wherein two of said plurality of swirl ducts are associatedwith each of said suction pipes, each of said outlets is circular, andeach said suction pipe is separated from the associated two swirl ductsof said outltes by walls being chords of said circle.
 20. A suctiondevice for an internal combution engine, comprising: a casing having anair inlet and a plurality of outlets; a collection chamber in the casingfor receiving air from the air inlet; at least one throttle valve forcontrolling the air received by the collection chamber from said airinlet; a plurality of suction pipes in the casing, each of said suctionpipes extending witiin the casing from the collection chamber to acorresponding one of the plurality of outlets; wherein: a wall dicidessaid collection chamber into first and second regions, some of saidsuction pipes extending from said first region and others of saidsuction pipes extending from said second region; and there is a controlvalve in said wall for controlling air pressure between said first andsecond regions.
 21. A suction device according to claim 20, wherein saidat least one throttle valve comprises first and second throttle valves,said first throttle valve communicating with said first region and saidsecond throttle valve communication with said second region.
 22. Anengine assembly comprising: an internal combution engine having aplurality of cylinders arranged in a V-shape; and a suction device, saidsuction device having: a casing having an air inlet and a plurality ofoutlets; a filter in the casing for filtering air from said air inlet; acollection chamber in the casing for receiving air from the filter; atleast one throttle valve in the casing for controlling the flow of airfrom filter to said collection chamber; and a plurality of suctionpipes, each of said suction pipes extending within the casing from thecollection chamber to a corresponding one of the plurality of outlets;wherein each of said plurality of suction pipies is connected to acorresponding one of said plurality of cylinders.
 23. An engine assemblyaccording to claim 22, wherein said suction device is located withinsaid V-shape of said cylinders.
 24. An engine assenbly comprising: aninternal combution engine having a plurality of cylinders arranged in aV-shape; and a suction device, said suction device having: a airdistribution unit having an inlet and a plurality of outlets, said airdictribution unit having a collection chamber for air and a plurality ofsuction pipes each of said suction pipes extending from the collectionchamber to a corresponding one of the outlets; a filter unit forfiltering air having an inlet and an outlet and being elongate from saidinlet to said outlet; and a connection path connecting the outlet of thefilter unit to the inlet of the air distribution unit; wherein the airdistribution unit and the filter unit are mounted side-by-sideperpendicular to the direction of elongation of the filter unit and arejoined at a common wall; and wherein each of said plurality of suctionpipes is connected to a corresponding one of said plurality ofcylinders.
 25. An engeine assembly comprising: an internal combutionengine having a plurality of cylinders arranged in a V-shape; and asuction device, said suction device having: a casing having an air inleta plurality of outlets; a collection chamber in the casing for receivingair from the air inlet; a plurality of suction pipes in the casing, eachof said suction pipes extending within the casing from the collectionchamber to a correspinding one of the plurality of outlets; a pluralityof swirl ducts in the casing, the swirl ducts extending from saidcollection chamber to said plurality of outlets; and a plurality ofswirl control valves in said plurality of suction pipes for controllingthe relative flows of air from said collection chamber to said pluralityof outlets through the plurality of suction pipes and the plurality ofswirl ducts; and wherein each of said plurality of suction pipes isconnected to a corresponding one of said plurality of cylinders.
 26. Anengine assembly comprising: an internal combution engine having aplurality of cylinders arranged in a V-shape; and a suction device, saidsuction device having: a casing having an air inlet and a plurality ofoutlets; a collection chamber in the casing for receiving air from theair inlet; a plurality of suction pipes in the casing, each of saidsuction pipes extending witin the casing from the collection chamber toa corresponding one of the plurality of outlets; plurality of swirlducts in the casing, the swirl ducts extending from said collectionchamber to said plurality of outlets; wherein two of said plurality ofswirl ducts are associated with each of said suction pipes, each of saidoutlets is circular, and each said suction pipe is separaated from theassoiated two swirl ducts of said outlets by walls being chords of saidcircle; and wherein each of said plurality of suction pipes is connectedto a corresponding one of said plurality of cylindeers.
 27. An engineassembly comprising: an internal combution engine having a plurality ofcylinders arranged in a V-shape; and a suction device, said suctiondevice having: a casing having an air inlet and a plurality of outlets;a collection chamber in the casing for receiving air from the air inlet;at least one throttle valve for controlling the air received by thecollection chamber from said air inlet; a plurality of suctin pipes inthe casing, each of said suction pipes extending within the casing fromthe collection chamber to a corresponding one of the plurality ofoutlets; wherein: a wall divides said collection chamber into first andsecond regions, some of said suction pipes extending from said firstregion and others of said suction pipes extending from said secondregion; and there is a control valve in said wall for controlling airpressure between said first and second region; and wherein each of saidplurality of suction pipes is connected to a corresponding one of saidplurality of cylinders.